Before I entered industrial design I believed I knew what design was all about. Flashy phones, buildings, furniture, etc was all that I assumed design to be. However this naïve approach was forgotten after viewing this particular video.
The main feature of this video was the concept of "
Human Centred Design" which was to base design around human behaviour and personalities. The examples given were the Prada store, Spyfish, Dilbert's Cubicle and the Kenyan entrepreneur, all in which portray the use of human centred design. These examples revealed to me that design not only gives consumers a whole new experience it also dramatically enhances the quality of life. These two prominent concepts are best depicted in the Prada store as well as the designer in Kenya.
The Prada store displayed a variety of new and innovative ways humans can experience shopping. Prada's new liquid crystallized change room windows allowed consumers to not only conveniently try on clothes but it also enhances the shopping experience. In addition the new LCD mirror which allows a three second gap allowed shoppers to view their rear, further enhances the customers' experience. This improvement then continues to satisfy customers' wants.
On the other hand the Kenyan designer/entrepreneur whom designed new waterpumps displayed how design can dramatically improve the quality of living. Not only did it provide a new source of fresh drinking water in the off season in Kenya, it also provided water for crops and also created thousands of new employment opportunities, benefiting its society as well as its economy. The inspirational facet to this story is that a sole person could reach out and help thousands more.
Despite my initial, naive beliefs, I now have come to realise the importance of design through
Human Centred Design. Not only can it satisfy human's materialistic desires it can also save the world from poverty. This has become my motivation as a future industrial designer. Save the world...